U.S. patent number 6,694,711 [Application Number 10/241,788] was granted by the patent office on 2004-02-24 for density control and anchoring means for an agricultural bagging machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SRC Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to Steven R. Cullen.
United States Patent |
6,694,711 |
Cullen |
February 24, 2004 |
Density control and anchoring means for an agricultural bagging
machine
Abstract
An density control/anchor cable is provided on an agricultural
bagging machine for engagement with the material being bagged as
the material is forced past the density control/anchor cable into
the bag being filled with agricultural material. The forward ends
of the U-shaped density control/anchor cable are attached to first
and second trolleys which are movably mounted on an I-beam
positioned within the tunnel of the machine. The trolleys may be
moved towards one another in tandem and away from one another in
tandem from a position remote therefrom. One end of the density
control/anchor cable may be selectively released from the second
trolley from a position remote therefrom, thereby releasing the
anchor effect of the U-shaped cable. The movement of the trolleys
with respect to one another permits the precise density control of
the material being packed.
Inventors: |
Cullen; Steven R. (Astoria,
OR) |
Assignee: |
SRC Innovations, LLC (Astoria,
OR)
|
Family
ID: |
31495436 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/241,788 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/527; 100/100;
141/73; 53/567; 53/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F
25/14 (20130101); A01F 2025/145 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01F
25/14 (20060101); B65B 001/24 (); B65B
025/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/567,576,527
;141/73,313 ;100/100,144 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sipos; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thomte, Maszour & Niebergall
Thomte; Dennis L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A bagging machine for bagging material into a bag having a
closed end and an open mouth, comprising: a movable frame having
rearward and forward ends; a tunnel on said frame having an intake
end for receiving the material to be bagged and an output end
adapted to receive the open mouth of the bag; means on said frame
for receiving the material to be bagged; means on said frame for
forcing the material to be bagged through said tunnel and into said
bag; a transversely extending beam on said frame having first and
second ends; a first trolley movably mounted on said beam; a second
trolley movably mounted on said beam in an spaced relationship to
said first trolley; a first anchor cable secured to said first
trolley and extending rearwardly therefrom into the material being
bagged; a second anchor cable secured to said second trolley and
extending rearwardly therefrom into the material being bagged; an
actuator operatively connected to said first and second trolleys
whereby said first and second trolleys may be selectively moved in
tandem towards one another or moved in tandem away from one
another.
2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said first and second anchor
cables are joined by an arcuate portion to define a U-shaped
cable.
3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said cable is fixed to said first
trolley and may be quickly released from said second trolley from a
position remote from said second trolley.
4. A bagging machine for bagging material into a bag having a
closed end and an open mouth, comprising: a movable frame having
rearward and forward ends; a tunnel on said frame having an intake
end for receiving the material to be bagged and an output end
adapted to receive the open mouth of the bag; means on said frame
for receiving the material to be bagged; means on said frame for
forcing the material to be bagged through said tunnel and into said
bag; a transversely extending beam on said frame having first and
second ends; a first trolley movably mounted on said beam; a second
trolley movably mounted on said beam in an spaced relationship to
said first trolley; a U-shaped cable having first and second ends;
said first end of said U-shaped cable being secured to said first
trolley; said second end of said U-shaped cable being secured to
said second trolley; a sprocket rotatably mounted on said frame;
means for rotating said sprocket; a pulley rotatably mounted on
said frame in a horizontally spaced-apart relationship with respect
to said first sprocket; a chain, having first and second ends,
extending around said sprocket; a cable, having first and second
ends, extending around said pulley; said first end of said chain
being connected to said first trolley said second end of said chain
being connected to said second trolley; said first end of said
cable being connected to said first trolley; said second end of
said cable being connected to said second trolley; whereby movement
of said chain in one direction will cause said first and second
trolleys to move in tandem towards one another and whereby movement
of said chain in a direction opposite to said one direction will
cause said first and second trolleys to move in tandem away from
one another.
5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said means for rotating said
sprocket is controllable from a position outwardly of said
tunnel.
6. The machine of claim 4 wherein said sprocket and said pulley are
mounted on first and second shafts, respectively, and wherein a
second larger sprocket is mounted on said first shaft for rotation
therewith and wherein a worm gear is in operative engagement with
said second larger sprocket for selectively rotating said
sprockets.
7. The machine of claim 6 wherein said worm gear is accessible from
a position outwardly of said tunnel.
8. The machine of claim 4 wherein said one end of said U-shaped
cable is fixed to said first trolley and wherein said second end of
said U-shaped cable is selectively releasably secured to said
second trolley.
9. The machine of claim 8 wherein said second end of said U-shaped
cable may be selectively released from said second trolley from a
position outwardly of said tunnel.
10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said second end of said U-shaped
cable has a ball mounted thereon which is insertable into said
second trolley and which may be selectively trapped therein or
released therefrom.
11. The machine of claim 4 wherein said beam comprises an I-beam
having a vertically disposed rear flange, a vertically disposed
front flange, and a web extending therebetween.
12. The machine of claim 11 wherein said first and second trolleys
are movably mounted on said rear flange of said I-beam.
13. The machine of claim 12 wherein each of said first and second
trolleys have rollers thereon which engage said rear flange.
14. The machine of claim 13 wherein said second trolley has a trap
means thereon for trapping said second end of said U-shaped cable
thereon and wherein a telescopic tube extends from said trap means
laterally therefrom towards one side of said tunnel.
15. The machine of claim 14 wherein said trap means comprises a
selectively movable box positioned within said second trolley and
which has a rear wall including a circular opening formed therein;
said second trolley having a rear wall including a semicircular
opening having a slot extending therefrom; said second end of said
U-shaped cable having an enlarged portion thereon which may pass
through said semi-circular opening and said circular opening when
said box is in a first position; said box preventing said enlarged
portion of said U-shaped cable from passing rearwardly through said
semi-circular opening when said box is in a second position.
16. The machine of claim 15 including a telescopic member extending
from said box to a position outwardly of said tunnel for moving
said box between its said first and second positions.
17. A bagging machine for bagging material into a bag having a
closed end and an open mouth, comprising: a movable frame having
rearward and forward ends; a tunnel on said frame having an intake
end for receiving the material to be bagged and an output end
adapted to receive the open mouth of the bag; means on said frame
for receiving the material to be bagged; means on said frame for
forcing the material to be bagged through said tunnel and into said
bag; a transversely extending beam on said frame having first and
second ends; a first trolley movably mounted on said beam; a second
trolley movably mounted on said beam in an spaced relationship to
said first trolley; a U-shaped cable having first and second ends;
said first end of said U-shaped cable being secured to said first
trolley; said second end of said U-shaped cable being secured to
said second trolley; a first sprocket rotatably mounted on said
frame; a second sprocket rotatably mounted on said frame in a
horizontally spaced-apart relationship with respect to said first
sprocket; an endless chain extending around said first and second
sprockets; means for rotating one of said sprockets; said first and
second trolleys being operatively connected to said endless chain
whereby movement of said endless chain in one direction will cause
said first and second trolleys to move in tandem towards one
another and whereby movement of said endless chain in a direction
opposite to said one position will cause said first and second
trolleys to move in tandem away from one another.
18. The machine of claim 17 wherein said means for rotating one of
said sprockets is controllable from a position outwardly of said
tunnel.
19. The machine of claim 17 wherein said first and second sprockets
are mounted on first and second shafts, respectively, and wherein a
third sprocket is mounted on said first shaft for rotation
therewith and wherein a worm gear is in operative engagement with
said third sprocket for selectively rotating said third and first
sprockets.
20. The machine of claim 19 wherein said worm gear is accessible
from a position outwardly of said tunnel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a density control and anchoring means for
an agricultural bagging machine and more particularly to both an
improved density control means and anchoring means for an
agricultural bagging machine for achieving the optimum internal
density of bagged materials.
2. Description of the Related Art
Agricultural feed bagging machines have been employed for several
years to pack or bag silage or the like into elongated plastic
bags. Two of the earliest bagging machines are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,687,061 and 4,046,068. In the prior art bagging
machines, silage or the like is supplied to the forward or intake
end of the bagging machine and is fed to a rotor which conveys the
silage into a tunnel on which the bag is positioned so that the bag
is filled. As silage is loaded into the bag, the bagging machine
moves away from the filled end of the bag in a controlled fashion
so as to achieve both uniform and maximum compaction of the silage
material within the bag. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,805, silage is
forced by means of a rotor from the intake chamber of the machine
through the output chamber of the machine and into the agricultural
bag with a backstop structure yieldably engaging the closed end of
the agricultural bag to resist the movement of the bagging machine
away from the filled end of the agricultural bag as silage is
forced into the bag. The structure of the '805 patent includes a
pair of drums rotatably mounted on the bagging machine with a brake
associated therewith for braking or resisting the rotation of the
drum with a selected brake force. A cable is wrapped around the
drum and is connected to the backstop.
Although the cable drum and backstop structure of the '805 patent
and other similar machines do function generally satisfactorily,
the cables, which are positioned on opposite sides of the bag, can
create openings or holes in the bag which will adversely affect the
fermentation process within the bag. A further disadvantage of the
cable drum and backstop structure of the devices such as shown in
the '805 patent is that the cables must be rewound after the
filling of an individual bag. A further disadvantage of the cable
drum and backstop structure of the machine such as disclosed in the
'805 patent is that a dangerous condition exists should one of the
cables break.
In an effort to overcome some of the disadvantages of machines such
as disclosed in the '805 patent, an attempt was made in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,621,666 to achieve the desired bagging operation while
eliminating the need for the cable drum and backstop structure. In
the '666 patent, the wheels on the bagging machine were braked to
provide the desired resistance to the filling of the bag. Although
the brake system of the '666 patent apparently met with some
success, it is believed that machines such as disclosed in the '666
patent experience slippage difficulties in wet field conditions
which adversely affect the bagging operation. It is also believed
that the brake means alone on the bagging machine such as those
disclosed in the '666 patent do not achieve the desired compaction
of the silage material within the bag.
In an effort to overcome the problems of the prior art, applicant
patented several inventions relating to different means for
controlling the density of the bagged materials and anchoring the
machine to the bagged materials. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,671,594; 5,297,377; 5,425,220; 5,857,313; 5,463,849; 5,464,049;
5,775,069; and 5,517,806, all of which utilize one or more U-shaped
cables which function both as a density control means for the
material being bagged and as a means of anchoring the machine to
the bagged material, thereby resisting machine movement without the
use of cables and back-stops or braking devices.
Under the prior state of the art, the density control cable is
attached to the frame of the bagging machine with the "fixed end"
of the cable secured to the frame with a shackle U-bolt and the
other end of the cable being connected to a hook or pin, equipped
with a piston-like releasing device, which is also attached to the
machine frame. From these two points of attachment, the cable is
routed around a pivot wheel and through horizontal slots. Each
pivot wheel is connected by cables and pulleys to a hydraulic
cylinder which horizontally moves them in tandem either closer or
farther apart. In this manner, the operator is able to adjust the
width of the loop in the cable to match the type of material being
packed. By varying the width of the cable loop, and thereby
changing the shape of the loop in the cable, the density of the
packed materials is either increased or decreased.
One of the problems of the prior art devices is that when the
bagging operation has been completed, it is difficult to release
one end of the cable so that the cable may be pulled from the
bagged material. Although the density control and anchoring means
disclosed in applicant's earlier patents are believed to represent
a significant advance in the bagging art, it is believed that the
instant invention represents a significant advance in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bagging machine for bagging material into a bag having a closed
end and an open mouth with the machine including a movable frame
having rearward and forward ends. A tunnel or enclosure is mounted
on the frame and has an intake end for receiving the material to be
bagged and an output end adapted to receive the open mouth of the
bag. A hopper means is provided on the frame for receiving the
material to be bagged. A rotor means is provided on the frame for
forcing the material to be bagged through the tunnel and into the
bag. A transversely extending I-beam is mounted on the frame within
the tunnel which has first and second trolleys movably mounted
thereon. The first and second ends of a U-shaped cable are secured
to the first and second trolleys, respectively. The first and
second trolleys are operatively connected to a chain which, when
moved in one direction, causes the trolleys to be moved in tandem
away from one another and which, when moved in a second direction,
causes the trolleys to be moved in tandem towards one another. The
releasing mechanism on the second trolley for the second end of the
cable is operated from a position outwardly of the tunnel. The
releasing mechanism, positioned on the outside of the machine, may
be remotely activated, e.g., from the operator's area, by either
hydraulic, electrical or other means. Instead of just a U-shaped
cable, first and second cables or chains, looped or separately
independent, may be secured to the first and second trolleys,
respectively, with those cables, or chain or other density control
and anchoring devices having an anchor affixed thereto.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention is to provide
an improved density control means and an anchoring means for an
agricultural bagging machine.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a density control
means and anchoring means for an agricultural bagging machine which
may be operated from a position outwardly and remotely of the
tunnel of the machine.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of
the type described including an I-beam positioned within the tunnel
of the machine with first and second trolleys being movable in
tandem on the I-beam towards one another and away from one another
with the first and second trolleys having the ends of a U-shaped
density control/anchor cable secured thereto.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the
type described wherein one end of a U-shaped density control/anchor
cable is fixed to a first trolley and wherein the second end of the
U-shaped density control/anchor cable is selectively releasably
secured to the second trolley.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the
type described wherein the release means on the second trolley may
be controlled from a position outwardly of the tunnel.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved
density control means and anchoring means for an agricultural
bagging machine including a pair of trolleys movably mounted on an
I-beam with the trolleys being precisely movable in tandem towards
one another and away from one another and with the trolleys having
the ends of a U-shaped density/anchor cable secured thereto.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an agricultural bagging
machine having the density control means of this invention mounted
thereon;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one means for adjusting the width
of the U-shaped cable;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the means for releasably
connecting one end of the cable loop thereto;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except that the cup within the
apparatus has been moved to trap one end of the cable loop
therein;
FIG. 6A is a partial rear elevational view of the apparatus for
securing and moving a trolley which has one end of the cable loop
fixed thereto;
FIG. 6B is a partial rear elevational view of the structure of FIG.
3;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 6A;
FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view illustrating the release
trolley; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred means for adjusting
the width of the U-shaped cable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The numeral 10 refers generally to an agricultural bagging machine
such as described in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,594; 5,297,377;
5,425,220; 5,857,313; 5,463,849; 5,464,049; 5,775,069; and
5,517,806, all of which utilize one or more U-shaped cables which
function as a density control means and anchoring means for the
material being bagged. Machine 10 includes a wheeled frame 12
having a tunnel 14 or enclosure mounted thereon upon which is
normally positioned the open mouth of a conventional agricultural
bag. Although the preferred embodiment includes a wheeled frame, a
non-wheeled frame could also be employed. For purposes of
conciseness, the power means for driving the various components of
the machine will not be disclosed since the same does not form a
part of the invention. The power means could be an engine mounted
on the machine or a PTO shaft connected to a tractor PTO.
For purposes of description, the bagging machine will be described
as including a forward end 16 and a rearward end 18. Bagging
machine 10 includes a hopper means 20 at the forward end thereof
which is adapted to receive the material to be bagged from a truck,
wagon, etc. The material to be bagged is supplied to the upper end
of the hopper 20 by any convenient means such as by a feed table,
conveyor, etc. In some cases, the feed table could replace the
hopper. A horizontally disposed rotatable rotor 22 of conventional
design is located at the lower end of the hopper means 20 for
forcing the material to be bagged into the tunnel 14 and into the
bag in conventional fashion. Although a rotor 22 is disclosed,
other types of devices could be used to force the material into the
tunnel such as packing fingers, screw augers, packing plates,
etc.
The numeral 24 refers to an I-beam which is secured to the wheeled
frame and which extends across the width of the tunnel. Although it
is preferred that the beam 24 extend completely between the sides
of the tunnel, the I-beam 24 could have its ends terminating
inwardly of the sides of the tunnel, if so desired. For purposes of
description, I-beam 24 will be described as including a rear flange
26, front flange 28 and web 30 which extends therebetween. Also for
purposes of description, I-beam 24 will be described as including a
left end 32 and a right end 34 as viewed from the rear of the
machine.
The numeral 36 refers to a trolley which is selectively movably
mounted on the beam 24 between the middle of the beam 24 and the
left end 32 thereof. The end 38 of a U-shaped cable 40 is fixed to
the trolley 36 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The
numeral 42 refers to a trolley which is movably mounted on the
I-beam 24 between the middle thereof and the right end 34 thereof.
The end 44 of cable 40 has a knob, ball or enlarged portion 46
mounted thereon to enable the end 44 of the cable 40 to be
selectively releasably secured to the trolley 42, as will be
described in more detail hereinafter. FIGS. 2, 6A and 6B illustrate
one means of moving the trolleys 36 and 42 in tandem while FIG. 9
illustrates the preferred means for moving the trolleys in
tandem.
Referring to FIG. 7, trolley 36 includes upper plate 48, lower
plate 50, and spaced-apart angular plates 52 and 54. Bolt 56
extends through plates 48, 52, 54 and 50 and is maintained therein
by nut 58. The rearward ends of plates 52 and 54 have a bolt 60
extending therebetween which has a collar or sleeve 62 mounted
thereon, as seen in FIG. 7. Nut 64 is mounted on bolt 60 in
conventional fashion. The end 38 of cable 40 which is in the form
of an "eye loop" is secured to the collar 62, as seen in FIGS. 2
and 7. A pair of horizontally spaced-apart rollers 66 are rotatably
secured to the forward end of plate 48 which have a bearing surface
68 which engages the forward side of the upper end of flange 26 of
beam 24. A pair of horizontally spaced-apart rollers 70 are
rotatably secured to the forward ends of plate 50 and have bearing
surfaces 72 which engage the forward side of the lower end of
flange 26 of beam 24. A pair of upstanding brackets or plates 74
and 76 are welded to the upper surface of plate 48 and have the
ends 78 and 80 of cables 82 and 83 secured thereto, respectively,
in a spring-like manner. As seen in FIG. 2, cable 82 extends over a
pulley 84 and is connected to a chain 86 at 88. Cable 83 is secured
to chain 86 at 90.
Chain 86 extends around and between sprockets 92 and 94 which are
mounted upon shafts 96 and 98, respectively, which are rotatably
mounted on the frame of the bagging machine 10. Worm gear 100 is in
engagement with the teeth of Sprocket 102 which is also mounted on
the shaft 96 and which has a D-shaped member 104 secured to one end
thereof. Rotation of the worm gear 100 causes sprocket 102 to be
rotated which causes shaft 96 to be rotated which in turn causes
chain 86 to be moved in either a clockwise direction or a
counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, depending upon the
rotation of worm gear 100. As seen in FIG. 1, the D-shaped member
104 is positioned outwardly of the side of the tunnel 14 so that
any suitable actuator may be connected thereto to either directly
or activated remotely, rotate the worm gear 100 in either of its
two directions of rotation.
Regarding the second trolley 42, with a releasing mechanism: Tunnel
14 is also provided with an opening 106 formed therein in which is
mounted a collar-like bushing 108 having a quadrilateral opening
110 formed in its outer end. Tube 112 is secured to the inner end
of bushing 108 and extends inwardly into the tunnel between the
upper and lower plates of the trolley 36, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and
7. Tube 114 is telescopically received in the inner end of tube 112
and has a universal joint 116 secured to its inner end, as seen in
FIG. 3. A threaded stud 118 has one end fixed to the inner end of
universal joint 116 for rotation therewith and threadably extends
through a nut 120 which is welded to the inner end of a hollow
box-like member 122 (FIG. 3) which forms a part of trolley 42. An
upper plate 124 is welded to the upper end of the member 122 and a
bottom plate 126 is welded to the lower end of member 122. Stud 128
(FIG. 3) extends through member 122 and has lock nuts 130 and 132
threadably secured thereto to maintain stud 128 in position with
respect to member 122. A pair of plates 134 and 136 are welded to
top plate 124 and extend upwardly therefrom for engagement with
plate 138 thereon. Plate 138 has an opening 140 formed therein
which receives the upper end of the stud 128. Nut 142 is threadably
mounted on the upper end of stud 128 to maintain the plate 138 on
the stud 128 and in engagement with plates 134 and 136. The
rearward end of plate 138 rests upon collar 141 which is positioned
on stud 128, as seen in FIG. 4. A pair of horizontally spaced-apart
rollers 146 (FIG. 8) are rotatably secured to the forward end of
plate 138 and have bearing surfaces 146 which engage the forward
surface of the upper end of flange 26 of I-beam 24.
A pair of plates 148 and 150 (FIG. 5) are welded to the underside
of plate 126 and extend downwardly therefrom, as seen in the
drawings. Collar 152 is mounted on the lower end of stud 128 with
the plate 152 being in engagement with the lower end thereof. Plate
154 (FIG. 5) is shaped like plate 138 and has an inner end 156
which is received between the lower ends of the plates 148 and 150.
Nut 158 is threadably mounted on the lower end of stud 128 to
maintain plate 154 in position.
A pair of horizontally spaced-apart rollers 160 (FIG. 3) are
rotatably mounted on the upper side of plate 154 and have bearing
surfaces 162 which engage the forward side of the lower end of
flange 26 of I-beam 24, as seen in FIG. 8.
A pair of brackets or plates 164 and 166 (FIG. 6B) are welded to
the upper surface of plate 138, as seen in FIG. 2. End 168 of cable
170 is secured to the bracket 166 by means of a spring 172. Cable
170 (FIG. 2) extends around pulley 174 and is secured to chain 86
at 176. End 178 of cable 180 is secured to plate 164 by means of a
spring 182. The other end of cable 180 is secured to chain 86 at
184 (FIG. 2).
The inner end of stud 118 (FIG. 3) is rotatably connected to a
hollow box-like member 186 which is movably mounted within member
122 either to the right or to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1,
depending upon the direction of rotation of the stud 118 by the
universal joint 116, tubes 114 and 112. The rearward side or wall
188 (FIG. 3) of box 186 has a circular opening 190 formed therein.
The rear wall 192 of member 122 has a semi-circular opening 194
formed therein which communicates with a slot 196 extending
therefrom. When the box 186 is in the position of FIG. 4, the
circular opening 190 in the box 186 registers or is aligned with
the semi-circular opening 194 which permits the knob or ball 46 on
the cable 40 (FIG. 3) to be inserted into the interior of the box
186 inwardly of the opening 190. Movement of the box 186 from the
position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 5 causes the opening 190
to move to the left with respect to the opening 194 which "traps"
the knob or ball 46 within the box 186, as seen in FIG. 5. Thus,
when the box 186 is in the position of FIG. 5, the ball 46 of the
cable 40 is securely secured to the trolley 36. Conversely, when
the box 186 is in the position of FIG. 4, the ball 46 may be either
inserted into the interior of the box 186 or pulled rearward
therefrom. It is anticipated that an air or hydraulic activated
device will be used to release the end of the cable.
According to the description hereinabove, it can be seen that the
distance between the forward ends of the cable 40 may be easily and
finitely adjusted. Rotation of the worm gear 100 in one direction
causes the trolleys 36 and 42 to be moved away from one another
while rotation of the worm gear in an opposite direction causes the
trolleys 36 and 42 to be moved towards one another.
Initially, prior to the bagging operation, the ball 46 will be
secured to the trolley 42 through movement of the box 186, as
previously described, to firmly attach one end of the cable 40 to
the trolley 42. The other end of the cable 40 will also have been
secured to the trolley 36. During the bagging operation, the
adjustment of the positions of the trolleys 36 and 42 with respect
to one another permits the operator to achieve the desired density
of the material being bagged. Generally speaking, less density in
the material will be achieved when the trolleys are closer together
than when they are farther apart. The cable 40 also acts as an
anchor in the material to hold the machine back against the
compaction of the bag without cables, back-stops or brakes.
Although a U-shaped cable has been described, individual chains or
cables could be separately attached to the trolleys 36 and 42 with
those individual chains or cables having adjustable anchors or
fixed anchors at their rearward ends.
When the bagging operation has been completed and it is desired to
pull the cable 40 from the bagged material, the operator inserts a
suitable tool into the opening 110 (FIG. 2) of the bushing 108 to
rotate the tubes 112 and 114 which causes the rotation of the stud
118 to move the box 186 from the position of FIG. 5 to the position
of FIG. 4. Forward movement of the machine with respect to the bag
will cause the ball 46 to be moved rearwardly through the openings
190 and 194 so that the density control/anchor cable may be
released from the trolley and easily removed from the bagged
material.
As stated, FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred means for moving the
trolleys in tandem, either towards one another or away from one
another. In FIG. 9, the numerals 36' and 42' refer to the trolleys
which are essentially identical to trolleys 36 and 42,
respectively. One end of chain 200 is secured to trolley 36' and
extends around sprocket 92'. The other end of chain 200 is
connected to trolley 42'. One end of cable 202 is secured to
trolley 42' and extends around a pulley 204. The other end of cable
202 is connected to trolley 36', as seen in FIG. 9. Sprocket 92' is
driven in the same manner as sprocket 92, as previously described.
Rotation of sprocket 92' in a clockwise direction causes trolleys
36' and 42' to move away from one another in tandem. Rotation of
sprocket 92' in a counterclockwise direction causes trolleys 36'
and 42' to move towards one another in tandem.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of
its stated objectives.
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